Why Men Are More Affected by HPV-Related Oral Cancer
Experts say men are more likely than women to develop oral cancers linked to Human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that often has no symptoms but can sometimes lead to cancer.
There are more than 200 types of HPV, though only about 14 are known to cause cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many infections clear on their own, but some can eventually develop into Oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the back of the throat.
Cancer epidemiologist Karis Betts from Cancer Research UK explains that HPV infections can remain undetected for years before turning into cancer. Men also tend to have higher rates of head and neck cancers due to factors such as smoking and alcohol use.
Actor Michael Douglas famously revealed his stage-four throat cancer diagnosis in 2010, which he said may have been linked to oral sex, along with smoking and drinking.
While there is no cure for HPV, vaccination can prevent many infections. Experts also say avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol intake can significantly lower the risk of throat and mouth cancers.
